SANTA ANA, Calif. — According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 1 in 8 people in the United States (13%, or 30 million) ages 12 or older has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.

A woman has been leading the way in helping the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Orange County for about 35 years.

Beth Hostetler, who is deaf, is the Deaf Services supervisor at Goodwill Orange County. She helped create programs and other ways to help those unable to hear live fulfilling lives, reach goals, find jobs, among other things.